There is nothing worse than a nerve that is firing inside your tooth. And sometimes despite all efforts of our Austin dentist, patients have to be referred to an endodontics specialist to have a root canal – the procedure that scours the nerve out of the root of the tooth. Luckily, we have some excellent root canal specialists, so in an emergency, you are in the proximity of professionals that can help with that horrible root pain. And anyone who has ever dealt with severe tooth pain knows that if a root canal is required, you will happily have it done for the relief it provides.

We have all heard of “root canals” but most probably are not privy to the real name for this specialty which is endodontics. Interestingly enough, the “endo” part of endodontics is an ancient Greek word that means “inside”, and the “odon” part is the Greek word for tooth. It makes perfect sense then that the endodontic specialist deals with the pulp (the soft insides) of the teeth. Most important, however, is the fact that part of that soft tissue inside includes the tooth nerves. And those nerves run right down into all the prongs of the tooth root. Your root canal dentist will be able to save your tooth and mitigate nerve and pain issues. That process requires a very trained hand. Only your general dentist can determine whether you need a root canal but look below to find out why this treatment is sometimes necessary.

What is a Root Canal Surgery?
When the inside of a tooth becomes disease-ridden, the only way to save it is the root canal. During the root canal procedure, Austin dentist uses a file to scrape the sides of the root canals, pulling out the pulp, blood vessels, and nerve. This process removes all of the infection and prohibits the development of further infection. Then the tooth is filled with a neutral material (rubber), and the tooth is capped. Pain is relieved, and the tooth is saved by the process.
Furthermore, this procedure allows the patient to preserve the look of the tooth without the risk of developing cavities.

Why is Root Canal Surgery Necessary?
The most common reason to undergo a root canal procedure is severe tooth decay. If you fail to treat a minor cavity properly, the bacteria causing the decay could spread to the root of the tooth. If bacterium spreads, the tooth's nerve and pulp may become inflamed and infected. You can’t stop decay with brushing and flossing. Instead, you’ll need to have the tooth professionally cleaned and repaired with a composite filling or root canal surgery.
Repeated Dental Procedures. If you undergo multiple dental procedures on one tooth, the underlying dental layers can become worn down. Once the enamel is worn away, your tooth’s nerve and pulp will be exposed, which can be quite painful. In this case, you may require a root canal.
A Chipped or Cracked Tooth. It isn’t uncommon for people to chip teeth while eating. Physical trauma can also result in chipped teeth, especially if you have weak enamel. In some cases, a chip may only require a dental filling treatment. But if the enamel is too weak, decayed, or damaged, you may need a root canal.

Remember that your dental health is a key to your overall health. Root canals are just one more amazing tool that the dental profession uses to ensure that your teeth remain functional, viable, and part of your fantastic smile!